Part 2: Expense Measures (continued)

Environment

1,500 Gigalitre Cap on Water Buybacks — establishment

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

‑

‑

‑

‑

The Government will introduce a cap of 1,500 gigalitres on the volume of Commonwealth water buybacks in the Murray‑Darling Basin. The cap will not apply to purchases from state governments and strategic purchases integrated with infrastructure rationalisation or reconfiguration made after the release of the Government's Water Recovery Strategy. It will also not apply to groundwater.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the joint press release of 27 February 2014 issued by the Prime Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment.

20 Million Trees — commencement

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

‑

‑

‑

‑

The Government will provide $50.0 million over four years to support the planting of native trees and associated understory species to re‑establish green corridors and urban forests.

The cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resources of the National Landcare Programme.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Antarctica — maintaining Australia's presence

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

9.4

‑

‑

‑

The Government will provide $68.0 million over four years ($24.1 million in 2014‑15, $14.6 million in 2015‑16, $14.6 million in 2016‑17 and $14.7 million in 2017‑18) to maintain functions that support Australia's presence in Antarctica, comprised of:

$9.4 million in 2014‑15 to contribute to the maintenance of station operations and Antarctic science projects;

$13.3 million over four years to continue to supplement the Australian Antarctic Programme for the increased costs of shipping, station and aviation fuel; and

$45.3 million over four years to continue the operation of the Australia Antarctica Airlink, a direct air connection between Hobart and Antarctica.

Provision for part of this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.

Asia‑Pacific Rainforest Summit

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

0.8

‑

‑

‑

The Government will provide $0.8 million in 2014‑15 to host an Asia‑Pacific Rainforest Summit in conjunction with the World Parks Congress to be held in Sydney in November 2014. The Summit will focus on the key drivers of deforestation, the lessons from regional rainforest nations and practical tools to better measure and manage rainforest estates.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the press release of 30 August 2013 issued by the then Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage.

Bureau of Meteorology — improved efficiency

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Bureau of Meteorology

‑

‑0.6

‑4.0

‑3.0

‑2.6

Related capital ($m)

Bureau of Meteorology

‑

0.1

‑

‑

‑

The Government will achieve savings of $10.0 million over four years by improving efficiency within the Bureau of Meteorology. The measure includes capital funding of $0.1 million in 2014‑15 for the fit out of a consolidated supply and logistics warehouse.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

Coastal River Recovery Initiatives — establishment

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

‑

‑

‑

‑

The Government will provide $9.3 million over four years ($3.5 million in 2014‑15, $3.3 million in 2015‑16, $2.4 million in 2016‑17 and $0.1 million in 2017‑18) to improve the environmental health of targeted urban and peri‑urban coastal waterways, including:

$3.3 million over three years to upgrade stormwater treatment for Tuggerah Lakes, including the removal of sediment and other organic matter and the replacement of gross pollutant traps;

$3.0 million over three years to improve the health of the Tamar River through catchment management activities that reduce sediment and pollutant loads entering the estuary;

$1.0 million over two years for the Swan‑Canning River Recovery Programme, to support wildlife recovery, weed management and education and training programmes;

$1.0 million over two years for the River Torrens Recovery Programme, to support activities including riverbank stabilisation, water quality improvement, weed management and revegetation; and

$1.0 million over four years for the Yarra River, for the installation of floating litter traps and for school and community awareness programmes.

The cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resources of the National Landcare Programme.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the Coalition's Growth Plan for the Central Coast, and the press releases of 19 August 2013 issued by the then Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray‑Darling Basin and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, 28 August 2013 issued by the then Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training, 4 September 2013 issued by the then Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage, and 28 October 2013 issued by the Minister for the Environment.

Community Heritage and Icons Programme — establishment

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

0.5

0.5

0.5

‑

The Government will provide $1.4 million over three years from 2014‑15 to support historical and cultural groups across Australia in the conservation, development and interpretation of local cultural heritage. The programme will provide grants of up to $10,000 to local historical and heritage groups ($1.0 million in total), $150,000 over three years to the Australian Heritage Council and $240,000 over three years to the Federation of Australian Historical Societies.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the press release of 4 November 2013 issued by the Minister for the Environment.

The Government will provide $3.0 million over three years from 2014‑15 to support weed control and fuel load reduction in the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria. The programme will provide funding for community‑based environmental projects, the management of weeds and the development, promotion and management of the Bullen Bullen Bush Tucker and Medicine Tours.

The cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resources of the National Landcare Programme.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the press release of 30 August 2013.

Emissions Reduction Fund — establishment

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Clean Energy Regulator

‑

75.5

299.8

354.5

416.9

The Government will provide $2.55 billion to establish the Emissions Reduction Fund (the Fund) from 1 July 2014. The Fund will provide an incentive based approach to support abatement activities across the economy to contribute to Australia meeting its target of reducing emissions to 5 per cent below year 2000 levels by the year 2020.

Funding as committed at the 2013 election was provisioned for in the Contingency Reserve at the Mid‑Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2013‑14. The Clean Energy Regulator will be able to commit under contract the full level of funding from the commencement of the Fund. The fiscal balance and underlying cash impacts will be realised as emissions abatement is certified and paid for over the life of the contract.

The Clean Energy Regulator will conduct auctions to purchase, at the lowest cost, emissions reductions that are additional to normal business practice.

A mechanism to establish baselines and safeguard emissions reductions across the economy will be designed to support the integrity of the programme and will commence from 1 July 2015.

The cost of administering the Fund will be met from within the existing resources of the Department of the Environment and the Clean Energy Regulator.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the press release of 24 April 2014 issued by the Minister for the Environment.

The Government will achieve savings of $1.3 million per annum by ceasing the Grants to Voluntary Environment, Sustainability and Heritage OrganisationsProgramme from 30 June 2014.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority — reduced funding

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

‑

‑0.6

‑0.6

‑0.6

‑0.6

Related capital ($m)

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

‑

‑0.1

‑0.1

‑0.1

‑0.1

The Government will achieve savings of $2.8 million over four years (including $0.1 million per annum in capital funding) from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. The Government will continue to provide $108.0 million over four years to the Authority to manage the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

The Government will provide $7.5 million over three years from 2014‑15 towards a Cumberland Conservation Corridor in Greater Western Sydney. The funding will be provided to third parties (including the NSW Environmental Trust and the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife) for the acquisition of threatened land in the corridor. The land will be protected in perpetuity through conservation covenants or other mechanisms.

The cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resources of the National Landcare Programme.

An additional $7.5 million in funding for the corridor will be provided through the expense measure titled 20 Million Trees — commencement and the Mid‑Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2013‑14 expense measure titled Green Army — establishment in the Environment Portfolio.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the press release of 8 August 2013 issued by the then Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage.

Harnessing the potential of algal synthesis and biofuels — redirection

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

‑5.0

‑

‑

‑

The Government will achieve savings of $5.0 million in 2014‑15 by not proceeding with the Harnessing the Potential of Algal Synthesis and Biofuels programme as the increased uptake of alternative fuels, including advanced biofuels, will be considered in the context of the 2014 Energy White Paper.

Funding was included in the Contingency Reserve in the Mid‑Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2013‑14 and has been removed.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

Keep Australia Beautiful and Clean Up Australia — contribution

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

‑

‑

‑

‑

The Government will provide $0.6 million over three years from 2014‑15 to Keep Australia Beautiful and Clean Up Australia to assist the organisations to discourage littering and the dumping of waste materials in public places. Grants of $100,000 per annum will be provided to each organisation.

The cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resources of the National Landcare Programme.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Kimberley Cane Toad Clean Up — contribution

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

‑

‑

‑

‑

The Government will provide $0.5 million over two years from 2014‑15 to help mitigate the spread of cane toads in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Grants will be provided for the development of effective tools that reduce the spread and impact of cane toads and for community engagement activities.

The cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resources of the National Landcare Programme.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility — support

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

2.9

3.3

2.8

‑

The Government will provide $9.0 million over three years to support the continued operation of the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) at Griffith University. Under a new funding agreement, NCCARF will be required to deliver a framework for understanding and managing coastal climate risks, including sea‑level rise in the coastal zone. NCCARF will also continue to synthesise and communicate research and maintain national adaptation research coordination and capacity building in priority areas (including human health, ecosystems, and settlements and infrastructure).

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the press release of 24 August 2013 issued by the then Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage.

National Environmental Science Programme — establishment

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

‑4.6

‑4.6

‑6.3

‑6.3

The Government will achieve savings of $21.7 million over four years through the amalgamation of the National Environmental Research Programme and the Australian Climate Change Science Programme to form a new National Environmental Science Programme. The new programme will provide administrative efficiencies and greater cohesion between environmental and climate science research, and will have ongoing funding of $25.5 million per annum.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme — improved efficiency

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Clean Energy Regulator

‑

‑0.5

‑0.5

‑0.5

‑0.5

The Government will achieve savings of $2.0 million over four years through more efficient administration of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

National Landcare Programme — establishment

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of Agriculture

‑

‑9.8

‑5.0

‑8.8

‑37.1

Department of the Environment

‑12.8

‑32.3

‑109.9

‑125.1

‑143.0

Total — Expense

‑12.8

‑42.2

‑114.9

‑133.9

‑180.1

The Government will provide $1.0 billion over four years ($291.3 million in 2014‑15, $261.3 million in 2015‑16, $244.1 million in 2016‑17 and $231.4 million in 2017‑18) to establish the National Landcare Programme. The new programme will merge Caring for our Country and Landcare to create a single National Landcare Programme. The new consolidated programme will deliver a simple, local and long term approach to national funding for the environment and will comprise a regional and a national component. The programme will be delivered by the Department of the Environment and the Department of Agriculture.

The Government will also achieve savings of $483.8 million over five years, primarily through a reduction in uncommitted funding for future grant rounds. Savings will also be achieved through the termination of the National Produce Monitoring System on 30 June 2014 and the Environmental Stewardship Programme which will be terminated one year early on 30 June 2027.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

National Wildlife Corridors Plan — reduced funding

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑0.2

‑

‑

‑

‑

The Government will achieve savings of $0.2 million from the National Wildlife Corridors Plan. The programme will terminate on 30 June 2014 as scheduled.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

Office of Water Science research programme — cessation

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑2.0

‑2.0

‑2.0

‑2.0

‑2.0

The Government will achieve savings of $10.0 million over five years from the Office of Water Science research programme, with the programme terminating on 30 June 2016.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

Orangutan Reintroduction Project — contribution

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

0.2

0.1

‑

‑

The Government will provide $0.3 million over two years to support the work of the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Reintroduction Project in Indonesia. The funding will be provided to the Melbourne Zoo for provision through its international grants programme. The support will enable the release of approximately 60 orangutans back into the wild, as well as 12 months of follow‑up monitoring.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the press release of 30 August 2013.

Port Arthur Penitentiary restoration — contribution

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Treasury

‑

1.5

‑

‑

‑

Department of the Environment

‑

‑

‑

‑

‑

Total — Expense

‑

1.5

‑

‑

‑

The Government will provide $1.5 million in 2014‑15 to support conservation works on the Port Arthur Historic Site's Penitentiary ruin in Tasmania. The funding will contribute to a structural solution to support the building and make it safe for visitors.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the press release of 4 November 2013 issued by the Minister for the Environment.

Reef 2050 Plan — establishment

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

11.1

10.3

9.1

9.4

The Government will develop the Reef 2050 Plan, including the establishment of a $40.0 million Reef Trust — to provide a long term strategic approach to address key threats to the Great Barrier Reef. The Plan will be developed jointly with the Queensland Government.

The Trust will support projects that improve water quality and coastal habitat along the Great Barrier Reef, including $2.0 million for the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre to cull crown‑of‑thorns starfish and $5.0 million for a Dugong and Turtle Protection Plan. It will also allow for contributions from external sources, including private and philanthropic contributions, and funds from environmental 'offsets' under the environmental approval processes of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The cost of this measure will be met by redirecting funding from the National Landcare Programme.

See also the related expense measure titled National Landcare Programme — establishment in the Environment Portfolio.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the press release of 2 September 2013 issued by the then Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage.

Smaller Government — National Water Commission — cessation

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Various Agencies

‑

0.7

1.3

2.3

2.3

National Water Commission

‑

‑3.3

‑8.1

‑8.1

‑8.2

Total — Expense

‑

‑2.5

‑6.8

‑5.8

‑5.8

The Government will achieve savings of $20.9 million over four years by closing the National Water Commission in December 2014.

The key statutory functions of the Commission will continue to be undertaken by existing government bodies.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

Solar Towns — establishment

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

0.5

1.4

0.3

‑

The Government will provide $2.1 million over three years from 2014‑15 to community groups, such as sports clubs, seniors' clubs and scout centres, to support the installation of solar photovoltaic and solar hot water systems and reduce energy costs in the electorates of Corangamite, Bendigo and McEwen in Victoria, Moreton and Bonner in Queensland and Lyons in Tasmania. Grants will also be available to community groups in the City of Monash in Victoria and the Port Adelaide/Wakefield/Makin area in South Australia.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Southern Ocean flights — monitoring of whaling and protest fleets

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

‑

‑

‑

‑

Australian Customs and Border Protection Service

‑

‑

‑

‑

‑

Total — Expense

‑

‑

‑

‑

‑

The Government provided $0.4 million in 2013‑14 to monitor the activities of whaling and protest fleets in the Southern Ocean. Monitoring flights were undertaken over the whaling season from January to March 2014 and were planned, coordinated and staffed by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service using an aircraft contracted by the Australian Antarctic Division.

The cost of this measure was met from within the existing resources of the National Landcare Programme and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

Further information can be found in the press release of 13 January 2014 issued by the Minister for the Environment.

Sustainable Regional Development — reduced funding

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

‑0.5

‑

‑

‑

The Government will achieve savings of $0.5 million in 2014‑15 from the Sustainable Regional DevelopmentProgramme.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Programme — reduced funding

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑4.9

‑10.9

‑72.2

‑30.0

‑89.5

Related capital ($m)

Department of the Environment

‑10.1

‑9.2

‑

‑

‑98.0

The Government will achieve savings of $407.6 million over six years (including $70.1 million in 2018‑19) from the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Programme. The Government will continue to provide $4.5 billion over 10 years from 2014‑15 for the programme.

The savings include a reduction in funding for water buybacks (from the removal of contingency funding) and reducing the scope of the Menindee Lakes project in NSW. The reduced funding for the Menindee Lakes project reflects the revised project scope agreed with the NSW Government. Reducing funding for water buybacks is consistent with the Government's policy to prioritise water recovery through infrastructure projects over water buybacks. The savings also include the termination of the National Water Market System Project.

The Government will provide additional departmental funding of $29.2 million over seven years from 2017‑18 (including $9.3 million in 2018‑19, $3.5 million in 2019‑20, $1.0 million in 2020‑21, $1.0 million in 2021‑22, $0.9 million in 2022‑23 and $0.8 million in 2023‑24) for ongoing project delivery not currently provided for.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

Tasmanian Forests Agreement Implementation Package — reduced funding

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑1.0

‑2.0

‑1.0

‑

‑

The Government will achieve savings of $4.0 million over three years from the Tasmanian Forest Reserve Tourism component of the Tasmanian Forests Agreement Implementation Package. Ceasing this component is consistent with the Government's policy not to support further reserves in Tasmania.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

Water Resources Assessment and Research Grant Programme — reduced funding

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Environment

‑

‑

‑

‑

‑0.2

The Government will achieve savings of $0.2 million per annum from 2017‑18 until 2021‑22 by terminating the Water Resources Assessment and Research Grant Programme on 30 June 2017.

The savings from this measure will be redirected by the Government to repair the Budget and fund policy priorities.

Whale and Dolphin Protection Plan — establishment

Expense ($m)

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

Department of the Treasury

‑

0.3

0.1

0.2

‑

Department of the Environment

‑

‑0.3

‑0.1

‑0.2

‑

Total — Expense

‑

‑

‑

‑

‑

The Government will provide $2.0 million over three years from 2014‑15 for the implementation of a Whale and Dolphin Protection Plan. The programme will fund a National Whale Stranding Action Plan, a National Dolphin Recovery Plan and the development of a National Whale Trail.

The measure includes $0.6 million over three years to be provided to the States and the Northern Territory for the purchase of equipment and training as part of the National Whale Stranding Action Plan.

The cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resources of the National Landcare Programme.

This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.

Further information can be found in the press release of 23 August 2013 issued by the then Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage.